Delhi Woman Shares Terrifying Auto Ride Experience to Alert Others
{A woman in Delhi had a very scary morning when her ride in an auto-rickshaw took a frightening turn. She shared her experience on Reddit, sparking widespread concern about safety for those relying on ride-hailing apps and autos.
What Happened
The woman, who uses apps to book autos for work, chose Ola after her usual app had no autos available. Shortly into the trip, the driver halted, saying his phone navigation had stopped working. Unbeknownst to her, he had ended the trip in the app, so tracking stopped completely.
He then steered the auto down an unfamiliar road, immediately raising her suspicions. A road sign showed they were heading away from her office toward a place nearly two hours away—a journey that typically takes just 30-45 minutes.
She ordered the driver to turn back, but he insisted, “madam, this is what Google Maps is showing,” while speeding on highways where she couldn’t escape.
Luckily, her partner was alert when she texted him, immediately calling her and demanding the driver return. After a tense exchange and her even considering jumping out, the driver finally turned back near her home, without asking for any money, and sped off. They felt certain he intended to abduct her, as he left without taking any Startup Closure money.
Disturbed and angry, she learned Ola lacked emergency features, only advising her to contact the police.
This wasn’t an isolated case—recent police reports in Delhi and nearby areas have highlighted similar incidents with auto drivers, including alleged kidnapping attempts. In one recent Thane case, a teen saved herself by jumping out of a moving auto using a compass to orient herself.
Public Reaction on Reddit
Her Reddit account received dozens of shocked responses, with people commenting things like, “Horrifying!” and “That’s terrifying”. Some suggested she lodge a police complaint and pressure Ola via social media to take action.
Many chipped in with personal experiences and suggestions:
• Keep your house keys handy as an emergency defense.
• Announce your path over a call or have maps playing aloud to alert the driver someone is aware.
• Choose metro travel instead of booking autos when alone if feasible.
• Avoid using Ola, citing poor safety features.
Her Must-Know Solo Travel Safety Guidelines
• Reconsider Booking Solo Rides: Solo bookings pose risks since drivers aren’t always trustworthy.
• Verify Vehicle Details Before Boarding: Ensure the auto’s number matches the app record before entering.
• Ensure the Trip Is Active Before Entering: Board once your one-time code is entered and the trip is live.
• Watch for Early Trip Ending: Keep the app open to see if the trip gets stopped.
• Send Live Location to Someone: Share your route to ensure someone can respond if needed.
• Sit Safely: Choose a seat that lets you exit easily in emergencies.
• Stick to Areas You Recognize: Stick to roads you’re familiar with to avoid risk.
• Check Google Maps: Follow along on maps to spot detours.
• Stay Alert for Nearby Officers: Be conscious of where help is nearby.
• Do Not Use Ola Due to Safety Gaps: Her strongest advice was to avoid Ola given the company’s lack of safeguards.
This event highlights the pressing demand for better driver verification, constant ride tracking, and effective emergency assistance from ride-hailing services.
Note: This account hasn’t been confirmed by Duniya Daily News Team and is shared from Reddit solely for informational purposes.
Follow Duniya Daily for further reports and safety updates.